It links together various services, such as lighting, heating and domestic appliances, to form a single, intelligent system. But what's next for connected homes At CES 2013 (Las Vegas, January 8-11) visitors can experience the future of interacting with their homes based on innovative, sustainable technology at three locations: The NexStep/EnOcean showcase (IBM Suite Venetian Hotel - Level 2, Suite 2405) exhibits an example implementation of the NexStep Cloud Concierge Platform and Services.

This includes a demonstration of the NexStep Concierge Help Button, along with cloud-based registration, control, service and support, and communication, integrating energy harvesting wireless technology from EnOcean, making the use and changing of batteries in automation devices unnecessary.

In addition, Texas Instruments (LVCC, South Hall 1, Booth 20612) and Maxim (Venetian Tower, Suite 31-221 and adjacent rooms) will demo examples of EnOcean-based smart home devices in action and show how they control a house by only using energy from the surrounding environment.

The energy harvesting wireless technology from EnOcean is based on a simple but brilliant principle: where there is motion, light, pressure, heat or differences in temperature, small amounts of energy can be harvested and used to transmit a wireless signal.

Instead of using batteries or another external power supply, wireless EnOcean modules are powered by energy converters: an electrodynamic energy converter, which uses mechanical motion, a miniaturized solar module which generates energy from light, as well as a thermoelectric converter which taps heat as an energy source.

Products integrating energy harvesting wireless technology range from batteryless switches, sensors that monitor temperature, humidity, motion and light, and actuators to move HVAC dampers or radiator water valves. All these products are distributed throughout a home to control lighting, HVAC, security or energy consumption eliminating the need for batteries while offering high flexibility and reliable, maintenance-free operation.

The next step of Smart Homes
Batteryless wireless sensors act as the sensory organs; the eyes and ears of the home, supplying the necessary information for intelligent control of diverse applications. Standardized profiles assure interoperability, linking different technologies from multiple manufacturers to work together as part of a complex smart home system. EnOcean technology is the ideal connection to bridge the last few meters between sensors in the home with an existing WLAN or mobile communication network.

NexStep's Cloud Concierge Platform provides the indispensable elements of a 'smarter' electronics ecosystem, bringing the trinity of user, devices, and services together. The platform supports the distinct phases of the connected device lifecycle including device connection and on boarding, human interface via speech command and control, device use including provision for e-commerce with smart ads and alerts, and service and support in the form of the NexStep Universal Help Services.

NexStep Cloud Concierge Services software and middleware reside in the control device (whether a tablet, a smart phone, the appliance, or a purpose-built platform), the cloud, and optionally the gateway.

Key capabilities and services provided for the connected device include 1) Secure provisioning and authentication, 2) Secure control with support for VoIP, voice command and control, 3) Secure e-commerce, with support for smart ads and alerts, and 4) Secure maintenance and diagnostics for connected devices via the patented NexStep Concierge Help.

The NexStep Cloud Concierge Platform in conjunction with cloud-based services, and peripherals from EnOcean, provide a top-to-bottom, comprehensive smarter electronics ecosystem, simultaneously benefiting the consumer, the CE company, and the service provider.

'Consumer Electronics companies and service providers need to simplify the way consumers control and service connected devices at home,' says Dr. Robert Stepanian, CEO NexStep, Inc. 'As connected home ecosystems become more evolved and complex, consumers demand a convenient way to manage their home with a platform that provides access and support across purpose-built control devices, smart phones and tablets, as part of a new digital lifestyle.'
About NexStep, Inc.

NexStep IP and technology address the distinct phases of the connected device lifecycle including, device connection and on boarding, human interface via speech command and control, transaction and use with provision for e-commerce via smart ads and alerts, and service and support in the form of NexStep Cloud Concierge Services.

About EnOcean
EnOcean is the originator of patented energy harvesting wireless technology. Headquartered in Oberhaching, near Munich, the company manufactures and markets energy harvesting wireless modules for use in building and industrial applications as well as in further application fields such as smart home, smart metering, logistics or transport. EnOcean technology combines miniaturized energy converters with ultra-low-power electronics and robust RF communication.

For 10 years, leading product manufacturers have chosen wireless modules from EnOcean to enable their system ideas. EnOcean is a promoter of the EnOcean Alliance, a consortium of companies from the world's building sector that has set itself the aim of creating innovative solutions for sustainable buildings.

Self-powered wireless technology from EnOcean has been successfully deployed in more than 250,000 buildings worldwide. The EnOcean wireless protocol is standardized internationally as ISO/IEC 14543-3-10, which is optimized for wireless solutions with ultra-low power consumption and energy harvesting.

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